While you write off Cowher I would think it's up to whoever is named as his replacement to pick his staff. The Wiz would seem to fit but the Rooney's have had a pretty good system for picking the last couple of coaches, and to my knowledge neither were big names at the time.
A team is going to have tobe patient to get at any of the Steeler coaches because I'm expecting deep runs into the playoffs for years to come!!! Wiz and Grimm were both prominent names this past season but the other teams would not wait that long, good for us!!

The Steelers will try to find someone within the organization. Whisenhunt is the logical choice if he's still around when Cowher retires. If we go outside the organization they will find someone fairly green as was the case with Noll and Cowher. The Steelers won't go out and find some so-called big shot from another organization. That type of hiring is for LOSERS in search of a quick fix.

I also agree with Black and Gold Forever's speculation that LeBeau is schooling Darren Perry to be the next defensive coordinator. Perry knows the Steelers defensive scheme probably as well as anyone. The Steelers front office have made mention that Darren Perry is going to be a good coordinator someday.

Yes, Cowher will some day not coach the Steelers. What have I not seen or read to validate that the end is coming now. Land and homes in NC is not a sign the end is coming IMO.

If he does hang it up next season at age 49, I couldn't blame him. But, he now has the QB to lead him to many more SB wins, works for the best Owner in football. Walking away anytime for him will be hard... but now (soon) would be even harder.

Awhile ago i posted a thread on who to replace cowher. Now that we know cowhers end is comming near let me throw his name out. I just moved to boston about 4 months ago and i've learned alot about belichick and how great of a manager and coach he really is. Kirk lafrentz is part of the belichick family that has included nick saban, charlie weis, romeo crennel and Eric mangini. I say give this man a chance and we as a steelers nation wont be disapointed

I can't say I have working knowledge of Kirk Lafrentz (I thought you were talking about Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz at first) but I do know the best coaches always come from successful programs. It's more about the system in which the coach was crafted. The New England Patriots are a prime example of this. I wouldn't mind having any coach who learned management and leadership skills under Bill Belechick (in my mind, the best coach in the history of the NFL).

Either way, Cowher isn't going anywhere for a while, but if he does retire in the near future, it'll be Russ Grimm, no question. Loyalty is a top priority with the Rooneys, and Grimm has been with this team (and has been successful) for a while. Only seems fair.

But there really isn't any indication Cowher plans to hang up his whistle. I'm from Pittsburgh originally and I love the area, but you really can't argue about the quality of the North Carolina countryside and the surrounding Pittsburgh area. Very few of the Steelers players even live in Pittsburgh after the season is over. The fact he bought a nice house on a large acreage only suggests that he wants to live in a nicer area in the off-season.

I don't know of Kirk. But he comes from a good back round of coaches. I think a more pressing need is finding a replacement for coach LeBeau one day. Lets face it coach LeBeau isn't getting any younger. But I do have one guy in mind and that is Darren Perry to replace LeBeau oneday. Perry has played and coached under LeBeaus's defensive system and would know the system well.

Bullseye. I cringe at the thought of him gone.

But my Dad just turned 71 and he can still cycle 75 miles through the Santa Monica Mountains.

Dick LeBeau seems as sharp as ever. Glad to see that we can finally use his real first name instead of 'Richard' or ****.